The Tigray People’s Liberation Front labels captured senior military commander Major General Yohannes a traitor following his surrender to federal forces
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) leadership has formally accused Major General Yohannes Woldegiorgis, widely known as “John Medid,” of treason, denouncing the senior military commander following his capture by federal defense forces and allied local units in central Tigray.
In an official statement released on October 27, 2026, the TPLF administration alleged that General Yohannes committed treason against the regional movement by establishing direct contact with federal forces rather than attending a mandatory military evaluation session. According to the party statement, the general had been relieved of his command over the Southern Front in late September 2026 following swift territorial losses and was summoned to address operational failures. The TPLF claimed that General Yohannes deliberately evaded the command assessment, choosing instead to collude with government units while other field personnel were actively engaged in combat maneuvers.
The political condemnation follows confirmation from military intelligence sources and Brigadier General Gebreigziabher Beyene, head of peace and security for the Tigray caretaker administration, verifying that General Yohannes was taken into custody alongside seven colonels and his security detail in the ‘Simret’ area of Rama Woreda near the Eritrean border. Sources confirm he was subsequently transferred under armed escort to the city of Adwa.
Born in 1961/1962 in Naeder Adet near Aksum, General Yohannes possesses a long military background. He joined the anti-Derg struggle at age 17, taking part in historic battles including the Siege of Nakfa. Following the establishment of the post-1991 defense structure, he commanded the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) Western Command and coordinated military campaigns in Somalia before his retirement under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration. Re-enlisting in 2020 to reorganize Tigrayan forces, he subsequently aligned with the TPLF faction led by Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, publicly criticizing former interim administration president Getachew Reda. Federal authorities have not issued a formal communique regarding his interrogation status in Adwa.
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